New Delhi, October 15 2008: The Secretary (Tourism), Government of Manipur B..BSharma IAS with the senior officers of the State Directorate of Tourism namely L Chaoba Sharma, OSD (Tourism) and Meghachandra Kongbam, Joint Director in Charge of Manipur Tourism, New Delhi today visited the Sikkim Tourism Office at Panchsheel Marg here and observed the functioning of the Sikkim Tourism Office in the national capital, for making improvement of the tourism sector in the State of Manipur.

The Sikkim Tourism, Delhi manned by three officers with its subordinate staff had a Sikkim Restaurant in the Office and coordinated with the travel agencies in Delhi for making maximum flow of domestic and foreign tourists into the State of Sikkim.

Puneet Kanshal, IAS, Officer on Special Duty, Sikkim Tourism in Delhi said that the Ministry of Home Affairs had made some relaxations for Sikkim State in issuing Protected Area Permit for foreign tourists and authorized the officers of the Tourism Department to issue the permit to the foreign tourists.

Now, the foreign tourists visiting Sikkim had easily got the permit without taking much time.

Kanshal stated the Tourism and Power were two sectors in Sikkim, which played an important role in the State's economy as well as in providing employment.

As such, the State Government was giving top priority in tourism sector.

Shova Lama, Tourist Officer of Sikkim Tourism, Delhi said that the Sikkim Government had a struggle against the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to get the relaxation on issuing the Protected Area Permit to the foreign tourists visiting the State.

The recent announcement of the Central Government on LTC relaxation for Central Government employees allowing to travel by air in North Eastern States had been a great boon to Sikkim that many central government employees were rushing to the State as tourists, she added.

The Secretary (Tourism), B B Sharma, in his address in the Conference of North Eastern States-Investmart-2008 organised by the Ministry of DoNER with the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India at Hotel Sangrila yesterday said that Manipur was the best place for tourists, because of its scenic beauty and salubrious climate.

It was truly a paradise explored.

The Loktak lake, a Ramsar site and the Keibul Lamjao National Park needed more explored.

Moreh town on international border with Myanmar had been always an attraction for all visitors to Manipur.

Thirty three recognised tribal communities with their typical culture and lifestyle had made the state of Manipur more colourful.

The Secretary (Tourism), Manipur invited hospitality companies and entrepreneurs in the country to set up hotels and other tourist infrastructures in Manipur, for which the State Government was ready to extend all-out supports to them.

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